Wednesday, September 14, 2011

You probably saw the title of this blog and knowing that it is the musings of a music geek assumed that it had something to do with Sting or the Police. Not this time. Maybe later. This is music related though. I'm wondering if there is something amazing and mysterious about the story I am about to tell you or if it is truly just coincidence.
My wife April and I share many musical tastes. It was a love of the Beatles that brought us together as high school seniors. One place where are musical loves diverge however is on E Street. I am a huge fan of Bruce Springsteen, one of my rock idols. April however tolerates him at best. Just never been a big fan. That tidbit of history is needed to fully appreciate this story.
April works late nights at Safeway many nights a week. About two weeks ago she was working the 10PM to 6AM shift. Sometime that night I had a very vivid dream. I was at a record collectors convention browsing the booths, looking at the items people had brought to sell. In the dream I stumble upon a man selling mint condition copy of "The River" (my favorite Springsteen album) in the original vinyl. I buy it and walk out of the convention center. End of dream.
That morning about 6:30 I hear April come in the house. I go downstairs to greet her and start the coffee. She says to me, "I thought of you last night. The Safeway radio station played a Springsteen song I didn't know, something about a Cadillac, but it wasn't "Pink Cadillac". She starts to hum the song. I recognize it right away. I run upstairs, grab the Cd, say "is this it?' and pres play.
The song was "Cadillac Ranch", and yes ladies and gentlemen, it is on "The River." Was this coincidence or after twenty years together are my wife and I so psychically linked that she is sending signals to me from across town?
Would love to hear your thoughts on the matter.

Sunday, September 4, 2011

My music listening of late has been limited to one group and one group only, The Beach Boys. Maybe because as a teacher I am lamenting the end of yet another summer vacation and the Wilson brothers et al. are the only way to hold on to August (he posts on the 4th day of September).
Now if you are like a lot of people you hear Beach Boys and dismiss the idea as a bunch of teeny bopper early 60's pop music. You would be wrong. There was so much musical genius going on in that group and most of it coming from Brian Wilson. Listen to "God Only Knows" from the classic album "Pet Sounds". Crank it up and really listen to it (with a good set of headphones even) and you would be surprised at the intricate beauty going on under that sweet vocal by brother Carl Wilson.
As a matter of fact the album "Pet Sounds" was such a masterpiece Brian had a nervous breakdown trying to top himself. Those never before released tapes will finally surface as a box set entitled "Smile" (which was supposed to be the original title of these recordings). I for one am waiting for November 1st with baited breath. I'm sure it will be nothing short of genius.